EMPRESS INK: "Our Women & What They Think". Issue #33. March 7th, 2009.

EMPRESS ON A POWER MOVE FOR CHILD'S MONTH
by E. Camielle Mullings

(Photo L. - Entertainer EMPRESS shows love to the students at St. Tekle Haimanot Basic School)

Active member of the Jamaican Division of the UNIA-ACL, as well as singer, songwriter, and media artiste extrordinaire - Empress, is on a power move for Child’s Month this May 2008. Empress has taken the country to task calling for donations towards the renovations and uplift of the St. Tekle Haimanot (Ethiopian Orthodox Church) Basic School which was established by the late Founding President of the UNIA Kingston Division #454, Abba Wolde Madhin.

Under the Theme:“TEACH THEM WELL AND THEY WILL EXCEL” Empress has taken the private sector in particular and the entire country in general to task, asking for donations towards the renovations and uplift of the basic school whose Board has no less than 3 UNIA officers as Directors.

From the 1st of May to the 30th of May, Empress will personally be asking Businesses and individuals across Jamaica to support the school during the month of May. All donors will be invited at the end of May to the school for the media presentation and the revelation of how much money was donated. They will all be invited to the presentation which will also state exactly how the money will be allocated.

The St. Tekle Haimanot Basic School was established in Bull Bay under the auspices of the Ethiopian(Tewahedo) Orthodox Church (ETOC) which was established in Jamaica in 1970 by the then Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie I. It is the brainchild of the late Abba (Father) Wolde Madhin, ETOC clergy who was the Church's Director of Education, and the founding President of the Marcus Garvey Memorial Division #454 of the UNIA-ACL in Kingston (1996). Abba Madhin joined the Ancestors in September of 2005.

(Photo R. - UNIA-ACL Kingston Division Founding President Abba Wolde Madhin giving his last sermon at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jamaica)

Speaking to the Negro World, Empress notes, "As African Liberation Day approaches, let’s not forget the African Proverb: It takes a village to raise a child. And that village should be Jamaica. Let’s help our children in their most vulnerable years. They need a decent and comfortable learning environment. My aim is to always stand up for children. They need us…our support and Guidance. Let us look into their idle eyes and make them the futures prize.” " She states that the school is currently at a stand still in building a new classroom. So persons are welcomed to also donate, desks and chairs…computers and any learning tools fit for a basic school. She assures that artists and the entire network of Jamaican People are for the children and will donate without hesitation. All donors and supporters will be published in the media.

Donations may be left during the days @ Livity Vegetarian Restaurant, in an enclosed envelope with all contact details. A receipt will be given to the donor.

Other donor Locations Include:

Direct Deposits and Cheques payable to the School’s Bank Account
Account Name: St. Tekle Haimanot Basic school
Branch: Any Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS)
Savings Account #: 234 415 20

Newstalk 93 fm Sales Office
1st Floor, 6 Dominica Drive, New Kingston
Attention: Empress - ‘The Corner'


FACT SHEET ON ST. TEKLE HAIMANOT BASIC SCHOOL:

HOW LONG SCHOOL HAS BEEN AROUND - 26 YEARS (Est.1982)

LOCATION - Green Vale View, 9 Miles Bull Bay, St. Andrew

HOW MANY STUDENTS ON ROLL - 63

THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE - 55

POTENTIAL STUDENTS THAT CAN BE ACCOMMODATED BY SCHOOL - 120

AGE RANGE - 3-6YEARS OLD

GRADE RANGE - CLASS 1-3

THE GENDER MAJORITY (%) - GIRLS (53%) BOYS (47%)

THERE ARE 34 GIRLS ND 29 BOYS CURRENTLY.

THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION (RECRUIT/STAY)– 5% DROP OUT

NUMBER OF SCHOOLS IN AREA (EARLY CHILDHOOD)– ONLY SCHOOL

NUMBER OF EARLY CHILDHOOD AGE GROUP IN AREA - 300

For More Information contact:

Empress: empresscharity@gmail.com / (876) 294-8770

School Board Chairman: Mr. Alfred Brisset: (876)373-9150

IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Complete the Classroom 1.

Provide new Desk and Chairs for 60 students

Build Kitchen and Nurses station

Bathrooms

Build resource centre for after school programs/ Computers which will also benefit the community.

Windows for existing Classrooms

A Refrigerator

A Four burner stove



EMPRESS INK Vol.1